Why you need an updated website?

June 14, 2018Terry Redmond

If you still use an abacus, watch movies on a VCR, don’t want business from anyone under the age of 50, or not interested in increasing revenue then you don’t need to read this article. Having a website today is like having a brick and mortar 50 years ago. It legitimizes your company and has made it easier for many entrepreneurs to own a business’s today.

Here are a few other reasons why you should have a website:

1. Your customers expect it.

No need to say more. If your customers expect it then you should provide it. 6 of 10 consumers expect brands to provide online content about their business on some form of digital property, and more than half head straight to the brand’s website for product information.

If you don’t have a business website, today’s digital-savvy (and impatient) customers may look elsewhere. Take a look at this list of specifics that customers say they want from a business website.

2. It provides social proof.

90% of consumers claim that online reviews influence their buying decisions. Since potential buyers are already looking for you online, including customer testimonials on your site is a great way to impress potential buyers.

3. You control the narrative.

It’s true that you cannot control what others say about you on social media channels, but you can influence public perception by creating your own story via a business website.

A company blog helps business owners get their message, mission, and personality in front of their target audience faster than print ads or snail mail brochures. Plus, social icons linking to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other networking platforms make sharing your content easier for your visitors who like what they see.

4. More bang for your buck.

When you use Internet Business Ideas and Marketing to build an affordable website, you position your company to reach thousands more potential customers for less than you would spend mailing ten brochures by traditional mail.

5. You don’t have to be tech savvy

Having some technical knowledge helps but we make things easier even for those who still use desktop Commodore computers. After building your website we train you how to operate the backend. This is made simpler with some of our fantastic custom platform options.

6. Your competitors all have company websites.

Consumers typically start their buying journey with research and recommendations from peers and social network connections.

Studies show that once a consumer has an idea of what they need or want, they start researching, and 72 percent of them go online to find educational material, reviews, and testimonials, according to a recent report. If you’re not staying competitive with your competition, you’re giving shoppers a reason to buy from another brand.

7. Always open for business

Nobody wants to work at 3 a.m., but some people like to shop then. Having a business website or ecommerce store means that you can sell products all the time — not simply between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

An online store can mean a dramatic boost in sales, especially when you factor in additional customers who are not restricted by geography. Your online presence also supports marketing campaigns, customer service, client relationship building, brand recognition, and almost every other element of the revenue stream.

81 percent of consumers perform online research before making a purchase. That means they go to Google and type in one or more keywords, like “best leather shoes” or, if they know what they want, “handcrafted Italian leather women’s shoes in Los Angeles.” If you sell leather women shoes in Los Angeles and have been using Ibi Marketing’s services, then you will show up.

If you don’t have a website for your business you will not show up on any search engines

9. Create a resource center for your staff.

In addition to helping customers, your business website can also benefit your own employees.

Create an orphan page (one that is not visible anywhere on the site so it can’t be found unless someone is given the direct link) with self-service videos, instructional materials, or even internal forms to help your team learn everything they need to know on their own schedules.

10. Showcase your products and services.

Not only can you display your products or outline your services in detail with beautiful images, but you can provide short video tutorials or downloadable PDF instructions to give hesitant customers no reason to go elsewhere to purchase.

11. Update your old website today.

Most websites designed prior to January 2017 aren’t mobile friendly. Majority of your potential customers are searching on mobile devices like cell phones and tablets. 80% of U.S. citizens own mobile devices and the majority use them to shop and research.

Majority of information supplied by Megan Hendrickson is the content manager at Bluehost